I
hope everyone had an opportunity to enjoy the wonderful festive events
that took place throughout Wellsville last week. This was my first time as
a new Wellsville resident to participate in the tree lighting ceremony,
view the fantasy of lights, and enjoy the spectacular show of fireworks.
My family and I look forward to the many wonderful memories we will create
by walking around Wellsville during the holiday season. My wife and
daughters will especially enjoy shopping in all of the downtown shops to
buy great gifts for friends and family. I believe that the most rewarding
part of last week’s experience was seeing my daughters’ eyes light up as
the fireworks exploded in the sky. Their cheers, laughter and excitement
were priceless. I know that many other families enjoyed the same
experience. It makes you realize how fortunate we are to live in the
community of Wellsville.

If you were unable to attend last week’s events, be sure to check out
the Wellsville Daily Reporter’s Upcoming Events section. Many
organizations throughout the community are hosting parties and fundraisers
to make the holiday season more cheerful. There is something for everyone.
You may also want to attend programs here at the library. The Pearl
Quartet played beautifully last Thursday night to a very large audience.
Residents both young and old gathered in the library’s Reference Room to
enjoy a string of traditional and popular yuletide carols. Members of the
quartet included: Lisa Lindsay, Roxanne Rice, Ann Giddings, and Jane
Metzger. The quartet was accompanied by Virginia Vossler. The library is
very grateful for the quartet’s wonderful performance.

This
"Spotlight on the Library" article was written by Brian
Hildreth,
the David A. Howe Public Library director. Articles are written and published
biweekly in the
Wellsville Daily Reporter.

Would you like to
learn more about computers? The library will be hosting a series of
computer classes during the month of December. On Monday, December 12 the
library will be offering a class that teaches participants the basics of
using computers. Participants will learn how to: turn computers "on,"
navigate with a mouse, begin use of simple software programs and become
comfortable with using computers on their own. On Thursday, December 15 an
Internet searching course will be offered. This course will discuss ways
for patrons to use the Internet to find important information. Patrons
will learn how to use search engines and web directories to answer tough
questions regarding everyday problems. Additionally, the library will be
holding a desktop publishing course on Monday, December 19. The course
will focus on using basic computer programs to create professional-looking
documents. These classes are free, but you must register at the library
before attending. Classes will begin at 7 pm.

A special performance will take place at the library on Tuesday,
December 20, at 2:30 pm. The Pond House Duo, featuring Elaine Hardman and
Carol Burdick, will be playing in the library’s Reading Room. The duo will
present traditional holiday music including works by Johann Sebastian Bach.
Both performers are very excited to help library patrons get into
the holiday spirit by spreading joy through song.

Additionally, a tour of the library will take place on Thursday,
December 22, at 7 pm. Come see the library’s beautiful Georgian Colonial
style building and all of its distinct architectural features. This is a
terrific occasion to see areas of the library that are not always open to
the public. During the tour, patrons will be given the chance to learn
about David A. Howe and why he gave this wonderful library to our
community. The tour is roughly forty minutes long and involves walking up
and down stairs. Don’t miss it.

Although this year’s programs will conclude on Thursday, December 22,
there is much to look forward to in January and February. Included in the
winter line-up are: a book discussion on Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451,
a genealogy workshop called "Digging Up Your Roots," a visit from
"Moreland the Magician," two lectures on civil rights and the feminist
movement by Alfred University professors and several computer workshops
that have not yet been offered at the library. Be sure to stop at the
library the last week of December to pick up the most recent edition of
the Howe Happenings newsletter.

Are you looking for something good to read? The David A. Howe Public
Library prides itself on offering bestselling authors and titles. Here are
this week’s top five selling books for fiction and nonfiction. The library
has all of them in its collection. Nonfiction titles include: Our
Endangered Values by Jimmy Carter, Teacher Man by Frank
McCourt, Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin, The World is
Flat by Thomas Friedman and The Year of Magical Thinking by
Joan Didion. Fiction books include: Mary, Mary by James Patterson,
At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks, Light from Heaven by Jan
Karon, Predator by Patricia Cornwell and The Lighthouse by
P.D. James.

The David A. Howe
Public Library is open Monday and Thursday from 10 am to 9 pm, Tuesday,
Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and closed on Wednesday and Sunday.
If you have any questions or need to get in touch with the library, please
call us at 585-593-3410 or visit us online at www.davidahowelibrary.org.